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Time to set Toronto free from OMB: Editorial

The Ontario Municipal Board has far too much power over local planning in Toronto.

A view of the Ontario Legislative building looking north. Even high-ranking provincial politicians were unable to protect the stunning roofline vista from the future intrusion of soaring condo towers. (May 20, 2010) (LUCAS OLENIUK / TORONTO STAR) | Order this photo

Sat., Aug. 24, 2013

There’s no denying that the Ontario Municipal Board invokes polarizing reactions from community builders. Many citizens hate it and developers, well, they reap such benefits from its benevolent decisions that there’s no reason to show it anything but love.

Certainly, decisions by the OMB, a development appeal board, have long ignored protests from locals who don’t want the dark shadow of a highrise condo building killing their prized vegetable garden. Indeed, municipal governments that don’t want dense development spend thousands of dollars in legal fees only to see the board overturn their decisions. Even high-ranking provincial politicians could not protect the Ontario legislature’s stunning roofline vista from the intrusion of soaring condo towers. Once again, the developer got the win.

So now that Municipal Affairs Minister Linda Jeffrey is promising reforms that will make the board more accountable, she would be wise to put her words into action. It’s time to free large urban centres from their century-old overlord.

As the Star’s Robert Benzie reports, Jeffrey told the Association of Municipalities of Ontario that unhappiness with the status quo is coming through loud and clear: “We’ve heard from you and we’ve heard from the public that the rules can sometimes be too complex, and the delays and appeals can be quite frustrating.” That’s an understatement.

In fact, both the City of Toronto and Mississauga are both so displeased with the OMB experience that they want individual appeal boards — ones less biased toward developers.

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It’s a drastic change but one that’s long overdue. Aside from Jeffrey’s review, a private member’s bill sponsored by New Democrat Rosario Marchese is also focusing attention on the OMB. Called the Respect for Municipalities Act, Marchese’s bill would free North America’s fourth-largest city from the authority of this unelected board.

Marchese’s proposed legislation, which has already passed second reading at Queen’s Park, would let Toronto oversee zoning bylaws and development approvals and create its own appeals body. These are worthy suggestions, considering the OMB’s history of meddling in city growth.

That interference is infuriating to local citizens and politicians. Many accept that their neighbourhoods will grow and change, but they want to keep radical intrusions — like massive condo towers — far away. They often spend hours looking at a developer’s proposal, working out suggestions and alternatives to enhance the neighbourhood. All the developer has to do is wait for the sympathetic ear of the OMB.

Some defend the board, calling it a much-needed counter to NIMBYism, especially on the occasions that developers try to incorporate community concerns in their plans. No doubt there is some truth to this, but far too often the board allows developers to flout local concerns.

Jeffrey says she wants to “foster better co-operation between municipalities, developers and community groups so they can work together to make those tough decisions.” She should cut to the chase and remove the OMB’s grip on development in the province’s biggest city. Set Toronto free.

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